Threats of Pests and Diseases to New Agricultural Crops in the Context of Climate Change

Dear Colleagues,

Global climate change poses an increasingly serious threat to agricultural production, and rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns—manifesting as droughts and floods—are having a growing impact on crop yields and quality. Abiotic stresses caused by these factors disrupt physiological processes and plant development, increase susceptibility to pests and diseases and simultaneously reduce the nutritional value and market quality of agricultural products. Pressure from diseases and pests is increasing as a result of the introduction of alien species, as well as the adaptation of native species to new conditions and crops. Climate change may increase the virulence and range of many plant diseases and pests, as well as weaken certain plant defence responses, particularly in newly introduced crops. Recent research indicates that, in the face of advancing climate change, the pressure exerted by pests and plant diseases on crop yields will increase significantly. However, our understanding of the mechanisms and projections regarding the impact of extreme weather events on plant diseases and pests, host organisms and microbiomes remains largely unknown.

Prof. Dr. Piotr Szulc
Guest Editor

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